Seaweeds are Marine Algae growing on the shores of our beautiful planet, covered mostly by water. Cold water and tidal action results in the largest concentration of species in northern climates of each pole. There are thousands of species but only a handful of these prime edibles. Humans have been using seaweed for food, medicine and fertilizers for thousands of years.

We commonly think of sushi wraps with Nori; however, the Irish, Scandinavian, New Zealand, Chile and Native Americans have been consuming seaweed for millenniums. Seaweeds have been traded extensively, thus playing a role in global economy. We are fortunate to have one of the largest concentrations of edible seaweed right here on the Mendocino Coast of Northern California!

Our clean air and cold water make this a real treasure that must be respected and protected. There are three main seaweed groups, Green, Brown and Red Algae. Donna Bishop hand harvests and sells the prime edible seaweeds, Nori, Wakame, Sea Lettuce, Bladderwrack, Grapestone, Kombu and Sea Palm, in strict compliance with all California Fish and Game Harvesting Regulations. Donna takes extreme care in cleaning, drying, processing and packaging to produce and sell the highest quality and grade of products, all coming from the Mendocino coast of Northern California.

Seaweed in nature

Health Benefits

Seaweeds have been used around the world for thousands of years to cure and prevent diseases. Currently, major research is being conducted for seaweed extracts in cures for cancer, AIDS and diabetes, in addition to many other medical conditions. My personal belief is that we need to concentrate on PREVENTION. Horribly, Chernobyl is still spewing radiation and every time it rains from the north jet stream, Washington, Oregon and California get a dose!

Kombu, in particular, has high concentrations of Iodine 127 which pulls radiation, as well as other heavy metals, OUT of the human body. Only three to five grams of this seaweed daily can help us all. Kombu also works with the pancreas to break down lipids and with Nori also aids in digestion and colon cleansing. All of the prime edible seaweed are higher in vitamins and trace minerals than any land vegetable, including vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, Niacin, Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium. Bladderwrack and Bull Kelp are high in good phytoestrogens which promote healthy breast tissue!

Graduating from Marquette University majoring in Biology and Earth Science, Donna Bishop has lived on the Mendocino Coast for 37 years. In addition to harvesting seaweed, Donna also raises chickens and eggs, fruit and produce, all natural of course, on her beautiful land. She has extensively educated herself on identification and uses of all that is edible in this area and loves to teach others all that she has learned. Donna is an advocate of taking good care of ourselves and of our planet. She does all she can to pass those practices on to those around her. If all of this were not enough, she also owns and operates her own quilt and dog pillow business and manages the local Farmer’s Market in Gualala! Donna is truly a modern day renaissance woman!